Use of dual compartment mixing container for enzyme mixtures useful to treat acne

ABSTRACT

An enzymatic powder (or tablet) is stored in a compartment contained in the closure of a vial. The powder contains enzymes from the enzymatic categories Lipases, Peptidases, Keratinases. The vial contains a buffer solution in which the enzymes will be mixed. By pressing the top of the closure, its bottom side breaks and the powder (or tablet) falls into the vial&#39;s buffer solution. Thus, an enzymatic cosmetic product is made just before its required application. By selecting these enzymatic categories and their applications fat, proteinic remnants (dead cells) and keratinic molecules can be removed so a deep skin enzymatic cleaning can be achieved. In addition, these enzymatic mixtures can open blocked sebaceous glands by dissolving sebum, dead cells and keratines that clog them. By doing so acneic symptoms diminish dramatically and sebaceous glands return to their normal function. This product proved very adjuvant in acneic therapy, since it can also be combined with antibiotic therapy given by dermatologists.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention is drawn to enzymatic mixtures (in powder or tablet form)containing enzymes in any combination or amount of lipases andpeptidases and/or keratinases for production and use in the cosmeticindustry.

Enzymes in cosmetics are not widely used today since they cannot bestored in lotion, creams, liposomes etc. In addition, there arethousands of enzymes known, each of which are classified in manycategories according to some common characteristic. In this case,specific enzymes have been selected, combined, restored and activatedjust before cosmetic application.

The present inventors had more than twenty years experimental experienceusing enzymes in the pharmaceutical industry. Based upon five years oftrials to combine the above knowledge-experience, the present inventorshave succeeded to use and apply enzymes from the above categories incosmetics for deep enzymatic skin cleaning and acne's treatment.

WO 93 19732 describes a composition for the topical application to theskin for the prevention of dry flaky skin, dandruff or acne based on astratum corneum chymotrypsin-like enzyme. This enzyme contributes to thedissociation of dead skin cells which will eventually accumulate in thesebaceous gland. In this way, the acneic symptoms may be aggravated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross section of the cork sealing the vial portion of theapplicator; and

FIG. 2 is a cross section of the piston-like segment place in the cork.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In general, enzymes do not penetrate the skin. They operate for shortperiods on the outside of the skin only where their substrate exists.Lipase, for example, will act only where fat and sebum exist, to breakthem down (liquidizing them). So lipases will target the problem of fatcollecting on the skin surface or sebum collecting in the sebaceousglands by removing fat from the skin surface or unblocking sebaceousglands by gently removing (even deeply) located sebum.

The present invention is a new generation of cosmetic products whichare, more or less, target directed. Accordingly, peptidases remove(break down) dead cells from the skin surface and/or dissolve deadcell's remnants from the pores of sebaceous glands. Keratinases breakdown (liquidize) keratine macromolecules from both the skin surface andfrom blocks in the sebaceous glands where keratins can be very difficultto remove.

The present inventors have found that keratinases are a very effectivebut also mild treatment (using a naturally occurring protein that existsin the human body) that works externally, does not absorb through theskin, and which will operate in the pores of sebaceous glands. Thisgives the freedom to avoid the use of harsh keratolitic chemicalsubstances such as benzoyl-peroxide, salicylic acid, etc., which arewidely used today. These are some of the problems that are solved by theuse of the enzymes from the above three enzymatic categories in anycombination and amount in cosmetics for the cosmetic industry.

With regard to acne, acne is the result of anaerobic bacteria growth inblocked sebaceous glands. When the above enzymes are used, the sebaceousgland will open and function normally. The conditions within the glandwill become aerobic and the acneic bacteria will be unable to establishnew colonies as long as the pores are treated and remain enzymaticallyopen. By using enzymatic treatments, acneic symptoms can not establishin the first place.

The enzymatic treatment, in one embodiment, can be combined with oralantibiotic therapy given by dermatologists.

The enzymatic mixtures (in powder or tablet form) described above shouldbe restored in specific air-water tight compartments.

In an embodiment of the invention, is a vial having a storage place inits cork. The cork is open in the upper side (similar to a plastic cup)and in the opening of the upper side is placed the enzymatic mixture. Apiston-like segment is firmly placed over the opening, from the top. Thesystem now resembles an engine's cylinder with its piston in the upperposition. The cork is firmly placed on a vial which contains a buffersolution for maximum enzymatic activity thereby enclosing the buffersolution.

The user, by pressing the piston down, breaks the bottom of the cork andthe enzymatic mixture (powder or tablet) falls into the buffer solution.A freshly prepared enzymatic mixture is now ready for use.

This invention can be easily used in the cosmetic industry and can bemechanically mass produced.

The enzymatic application treatment of this invention, will provide (asseen with Velvet Clean and AcneNo) skin, which is deeply cleaned,smooth, vibrant, healthy, glowing, and young looking with reduced agingsites, such as wrinkles, and coloration (Velvet Clean). Also, the acnesebaceous gland will shortly return to normal functioning, showing alsosome of the above characteristics (AcneNo).

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for removing from a sebaceous gland themain clogging material comprising sebum, proteinic and keratinicmolecules, said method comprising: a first step of combining a buffersolution with an enzymatic mixture in dry solid form to make a bufferedenzyme containing solution, and a second step of applying to the skinthe buffered enzyme containing solution; wherein the enzymatic mixturecomprises at least two enzymes selected from the group consisting ofLipases, peptidases and keratinases.
 2. A method for the treatmentand/or therapy of acne comprising: a first-step of combining a buffersolution with an enzymatic mixture in dry solid form to make a bufferedenzyme containing solution, and a second step of applying to the acnethe buffered enzyme containing solution; wherein the enzymatic mixturecomprises at least two enzymes selected from the group consisting ofLipases, peptidases and keratinases.
 3. A method for skin cleansingand/or treating acne with an enzymatic mixture in powder or tablet form,said mixture comprising at least two enzymes selected from the groupconsisting of Lipases, peptidases and keratinases, said methodcomprising the steps of: (i) storing said mixture in an air/water tightaluminum envelope or in an air/water tight chamber provided in the capof a conventional vial, wherein said vial contains a buffer solution ata pH which effects the action of said enzymes; (ii) combining the dryenzymatic mixture with said buffer solution, just before skinapplication to prepare an enzymatic solution mixture; (iii) applyingsaid enzymatic solution mixture on the skin.
 4. The method according toclaim 2, wherein said mixtures being in dry powder or tablet form,becoming active when dissolved in appropriate solution just beforeapplication.
 5. The method according to claim 3, wherein said enzymaticsolution removes from a sebaceous gland the main clogging materialcomprising sebum, proteinic and keratinic molecules.
 6. The methodaccording to claim 3, wherein the enzymatic mixture is applied to acne.7. The method according to claim 3, wherein said mixtures being in drypowder or tablet form, becoming active when dissolved in appropriatesolution just before application.